Well ever since I aged up from 12 to 13 (which was a while ago), I have always wondered why there is no 100 IM for kids who are 13 and over, at least for short course (Yards) season (you can't really do a 100 IM in a LCM pool >.>). While there are some meets where you can do it, it isn't like a state event or anything. It seems like USA swimming is the only team that doesn't really allow it in such a way. I have looked at info on other countries and their swim teams and they seem to do it, as a state (province for other countries....) and above event even.
Parents
Former Member
I think the 50 fly, back, and *** and the 100 IM (for short course) should absolutely be added to USA swimming meet line-ups. Sprinting is FUN. When our sport is 'competing' against soccer, football, baseball, etc. for participation among teenagers, why not add these events? For those kids already excelling at the 200 strokes or the 400 IM, great. No need to make any changes. But those events are very daunting for many, especially 13-year-olds that have just aged out of the 50s.
My son has been swimming for two years and is almost 13. He's enjoying it and doing pretty well. But the idea of swimming a 200 fly (in lieu of the 50) or 400 IM (instead of the 100) in a few months just makes him laugh with scorn. So, he'll have fewer options for races in meets in the foreseeable future. Is this anyway to encourage participation in the sport?
I think the 50 fly, back, and *** and the 100 IM (for short course) should absolutely be added to USA swimming meet line-ups. Sprinting is FUN. When our sport is 'competing' against soccer, football, baseball, etc. for participation among teenagers, why not add these events? For those kids already excelling at the 200 strokes or the 400 IM, great. No need to make any changes. But those events are very daunting for many, especially 13-year-olds that have just aged out of the 50s.
My son has been swimming for two years and is almost 13. He's enjoying it and doing pretty well. But the idea of swimming a 200 fly (in lieu of the 50) or 400 IM (instead of the 100) in a few months just makes him laugh with scorn. So, he'll have fewer options for races in meets in the foreseeable future. Is this anyway to encourage participation in the sport?
